Stop the War on Women in Congo

Target: U.S. House of Representatives
Sponsored by: Care2.com

There's a war raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- a war that's killed approximately 5.4 million people since 1998. In fact, it's the deadliest conflict since World War II. And the most frequent targets in this hidden war are women, so much so that it's often called a "war against women."

And the most frequent weapon used to destroy them, their families and their communities is rape.

Tens of thousands of women and girls have been and continue to be victims of systematic rape and sexual assault. Rape is used deliberately and strategically to terrorize, humiliate and attack the community bonds of those suspected of supporting an enemy group and to impose the supremacy of one group over another.

The situation is intolerable, and something must be done! Act today to support H.Res. 1227 and call on the U.S. Administration to do more to stop the violence against women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Take Action!

Signature goal: 20,000

Current signatures: 60

Speak Up for Justice for Journalists in Iraq

Target: KRG Minister of Human Rights, Dr. Yousif M. Aziz
Sponsored by: Care2

Several journalists and writers from the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq have received death threats in recent days, despite a recent statement by U.S. General Petraeus saying that violence in Iraq is declining to almost "normal levels". One of the men, Souran 'Omar, was on a list of journalists at risk of being killed, apparently for criticizing the political parties in the region. Two others on the list, journalist Souran Mama Hama and academic 'Abd al-Sattar Taher Sharif, have been killed.

130 journalists have been killed and 51 have been kidnapped since the war in Iraq began five years ago. The victims are of many nationalities, but Iraqis are grossly over represented.

Journalists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq who criticize the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) are at particular risk. Journalists have been arbitrarily arrested and detained without trial, and sometimes tortured. Some have been abducted in the street and beaten by armed men wearing civilian clothes, and then released a few hours or days later.

This abuse of civilians needs to stop. Journalists are an invaluable group to the public who deserve justice and security.

Tell the KRG Minister of Human Rights to stop this abuse of human rights now -- and to uphold the right to freedom of expression in Iraq.

Sign the petition/Send a letter!

Goal: 10,000 Signatures

Current (at time of post): 5,125 Signatures